Book Review: “Immortal Poems” by Dr Maqsood Jafri

The English poetry collection “Immortal Poems” by eminent poet, philosopher, political activist, and columnist Dr Maqsood Jafri has been published by ST Printers and Publishers, Rawalpindi.

The book brings together 83 poems spanning personal, social, political, national, and international themes. It is a wide-ranging collection that reflects the poet’s voice as both witness and conscience of his times.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, former Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting, has written the Foreword of the book.

“He has the gifts of compassion, conviction, and courage. He speaks and writes without complacency or fear. He never reconciles with fascism or despotism. The Greek philosopher Plato had said: ‘Poets, philosophers, and orators are not made, but born.’ I admire Maqsood Jafri’s qualities as a poet, philosopher, and orator.”

Professor Mohammad Shanazar, an internationally recognized English poet, and literary critic writes:

“Dr Maqsood Jafri is multi-dimensional, like a diamond that reflects the poet, orator, philosopher, and columnist in one. With sincerity and dedication, he has shaped two generations through literature and academia. He is a perennial figure who will be remembered even in an unpredictable future. I count myself blessed to have sipped a single drop from his unfathomable ocean.”

Ms. Caroline Laurent Turunc, Paris-based poetess and literary scholar, was inspired after reading Ms. Shazia Alam Shazi’s article on Dr. Jafri. In her poem “ Poet of Light”, she writes addressing Ms. Shazi Shazi writes:

“You did not merely describe him; you illuminated him.
In your reflection one hears reverence, intellectual insight,
And the devotion of a heart that recognizes greatness not by fame, but by grace.”

Mr. Naeem Ahmed Hashmi, a Pakistani English poet, honours him in his poem titled “ Poet of Humanity” in these words:

“In verse bright, he shapes the dawn,
Where wisdom, truth, and grace are drawn.
A voice of peace, for nation’s soul,
He pens with fire a poet’s role.
He is known as the Poet of Humanity.”

Ms. Marline Pasini, an internationally renowned poet and peace advocate, from Morocco writes to Dr. Jafri from her travels across continents. She lauds his lifelong commitment to world peace, justice, and human rights, and calls his work a vital contribution to global humanitarian literature.

Dr Maqsood Jafri has authored 36 books of poetry and prose in seven languages. Viz; English, Arabic, Persian, Urdu, Punjabi, Kashmiri and Potohari. The central thrust of his writings  is peace, justice, love, humanity, freedom, democracy, and rationality. He stands firmly against racism, religious extremism, pseudo-Sufism, monasticism feudalism, sectarianism, despotism, and monarchies.

As a political activist and public intellectual, he is frequently invited as a keynote speaker to literary and academic forums and universities in the United States, Britain, and Canada.

“Immortal Poems”, is more than a collection. It is a record of a poet who writes to awaken, to question, and to build a more just world.

Categories: Book Review, Poetry

Tags: English Literature, Literature, poem, poet, Poetry